Footwear With One or More Removable and Interchangeable Panels

ABSTRACT

A shoe comprising an upper, a midsole coupled to the upper and comprising a recess proximal to a junction between the upper and the midsole, a midsole insert comprising a channel, the midsole insert configured to seat within the recess, and a shoe panel configured to detachably couple to the upper of the shoe, the shoe panel comprising a first end configured to seat within the channel of the midsole insert. The shoe panel may be a midfoot or heel panel and may be detachably coupled to the upper by a hook and loop closure. The shoe may be a slip on shoe comprising a tongue side extension that is tucked under a quarter extension to allow a midfoot panel to smoothly couple to the upper over the tongue.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of and claims priority underTitle 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/291,984 entitled “Footwear With One or MoreRemovable and Interchangeable Panels” filed on Feb. 5, 2016 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/400,035 filed on Sep. 26,2016 entitled “Footwear With One or More Removable and InterchangeablePanels”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Example embodiments in general relate to footwear having a removable andinterchangeable panel.

2. Related Art

Many people prefer to wear footwear that matches the colors and/or styleof their clothing. Conventional footwear requires the wearer to changeshoes in order to change the color scheme or style of the shoe to matchthe wearer's preferences relative to the wearer's clothing. Thisrequires the purchase of multiple pairs of shoes in various colorsand/or styles which is expensive and requires a great deal of space tostore the shoes when not in use.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to footwearcomprising one or more interchangeable panels. The footwear includesvarious features that individually or in combination allow one or morepanels to be coupled to an upper of the shoe and removed andinterchanged as the wearer desires.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe footwear in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of the footwearthat will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matterof the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining atleast one embodiment of the footwear in detail, it is to be understoodthat the footwear is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The footwear iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

Implementations of a shoe may comprise an upper, a midsole coupled tothe upper and comprising a recess proximal to a junction between theupper and the midsole, a midsole insert comprising a channel, themidsole insert configured to seat within the recess, and a shoe panelconfigured to detachably couple to the upper of the shoe, the shoe panelcomprising a first end configured to seat within the channel of themidsole insert.

Particular aspects may comprise one or more of the following features.The shoe panel may be a midfoot panel comprising a second end configuredto seat within a second channel on an opposite side of the shoe. Theshoe may further comprise a midfoot hook and loop closure panel on theupper that is configured to mate with a midfoot panel hook and loopclosure panel located on an underside of the midfoot panel. The shoe mayfurther comprise a vamp hook and loop closure panel on the upper that isconfigured to mate with a midfoot panel hook and loop closure panellocated on an underside of the midfoot panel. The midfoot panel maycomprise one or more reinforcement elements on at least one of the firstand second ends of the midfoot panel. The upper may further comprise atongue extending upward from a vamp of the shoe, the tongue may comprisea tongue side extension on at least one side of the tongue. The uppermay further comprise a quarter extension on each of a first and a secondside of the tongue, the quarter extensions may be configured to overlaponto an upper surface of the tongue. At least one of the quarterextensions may comprises a magnet and the midfoot panel comprises amagnet configured to mate with the magnet of the at least one of thequarter extensions. The midfoot panel may comprise a plurality ofeyelets comprising a lace running therethrough. The shoe panel may be aheel panel configured to detachably couple to the shoe upper at the heelof the shoe. The shoe may further comprise a heel hook and loop closurepanel on the upper that is configured to mate with a heel panel hook andloop closure panel located on an underside of the heel panel. The shoemay further comprise an embellishment recess configured to house adecorative element. The embellishment recess may further comprise amagnet configured to mate with a magnet located on the decorativeelement. The embellishment recess may be located on the shoe panel. Thechannel may be substantially L-shaped.

Implementations of a shoe may comprise an upper, a midsole coupled tothe upper and comprising a channel proximal to a junction between theupper and the midsole, and a shoe panel configured to detachably coupleto the upper of the shoe, the shoe panel comprising a first endconfigured to seat within the channel of the midsole.

Particular aspects may comprise one or more of the following features.The shoe panel may be a midfoot panel comprising a second end configuredto seat within a second channel on an opposite side of the shoe. Theshoe may further comprise at least one of a midfoot hook and loopclosure panel on the upper that is configured to mate with a midfootpanel hook and loop closure panel located on an underside of the midfootpanel and a vamp hook and loop closure panel on the upper that isconfigured to mate with a midfoot panel hook and loop closure panellocated on an underside of the midfoot panel. The midfoot panel maycomprise one or more reinforcement elements on at least one of the firstand second ends of the midfoot panel. The upper may further comprise atongue extending upward from a vamp of the shoe, the tongue may comprisea tongue side extension on at least one side of the tongue. The uppermay further comprise a quarter comprising a quarter extension on each ofa first and a second side of the tongue. The quarter extensions may beconfigured to overlap onto an upper surface of the tongue and at leastone of the quarter extensions may comprise a magnet. The midfoot panelmay comprise a magnet configured to mate with the magnet of the at leastone of the quarter extensions.

Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are describedbelow in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unlessspecifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in thespecification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, andaccustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts.The inventor is fully aware that he can be his own lexicographer ifdesired. The inventor expressly elects, as his own lexicographers, touse only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specificationand claims unless he clearly states otherwise and then further,expressly sets forth the “special” definition of that term and explainshow it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clearstatements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is theinventor's intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaningto the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification andclaims.

The inventor is also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar.Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be furthercharacterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term,or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptiveterms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts ofEnglish grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms,or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases begiven their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in theapplicable arts as set forth above.

Further, the inventor is fully informed of the standards and applicationof the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Thus, the use of thewords “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or BriefDescription of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehowindicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f),to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112(f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claimswill specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or“step for, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state“means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without alsoreciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support ofthe function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performingthe function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,”if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support ofthat means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is theclear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35U.S.C. §112(f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f)are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that theinventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material oracts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition,include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform theclaimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of theinvention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalentstructures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDETAILED DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription given herein below and the accompanying drawings, whereinlike elements are represented by like reference characters, which aregiven by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of theexample embodiments herein. Elements and acts in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been renderedaccording to any particular sequence or embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of footwearhaving a removable midfoot panel.

FIG. 2 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 1 without the footwear upper.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a midsole comprising first and secondrecesses.

FIG. 4 provides an embodiment of a midsole comprising a midsole insert.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6-7 and 12-13 depict exemplary embodiments of a removable midfootpanel.

FIGS. 8-9 depict an exemplary embodiment of footwear comprising quarterextensions.

FIGS. 10-11 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a midfoot panel seatedwithin a channel of the midsole.

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary embodiment of footwear comprising aremovable heel panel.

FIGS. 15-18 depict an embodiment of a midfoot panel comprising a midfootpanel tab.

FIGS. 19-20 depict an embodiment of footwear comprising quarterextensions and tongue side extensions.

FIG. 21 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of footwearcomprising a midfoot panel having laces.

FIGS. 22-23 depict an exemplary embodiment of a midfoot panel comprisingan embellishment recess and embellishment, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of footwear comprising removable and interchangeablepanels, suitable methods and materials are described above. Allpublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to theextent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The footwearcomprising removable and interchangeable panels may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributesthereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Anyheadings utilized within the description are for convenience only andhave no legal or limiting effect.

Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, andany reference to more than one component or step may include a singularembodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected orthe like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, fulland/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any referenceto without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contactor minimal contact. As used herein, phrases such as “make contact with,”“coupled to,” “touch,” “interface with” and “engage” may be usedinterchangeably.

The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention describedthroughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases“exemplary embodiments”, “some embodiments” or other similar languagerefers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment may beincluded in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “exemplary embodiments”, “in someembodiments”, “in other embodiments” or other similar language,throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the samegroup of embodiments, and the described features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Manyadditional components and assembly procedures known in the artconsistent with the intended footwear and/or assembly procedures forfootwear with interchangeable panels will become apparent for use withimplementations of footwear from this disclosure. Accordingly, forexample, although particular footwear is disclosed, such footwear,interchangeable panels, and implementing components may comprise anyshape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration,material, quantity, and/or the like as is known in the art for suchfootwear and interchangeable panels and implementing components,consistent with the intended operation of footwear.

Contemplated as part of this disclosure are various embodiments offootwear comprising removable and interchangeable panels. It is notedthat although the drawings provided herein generally depict “saddleshoe”-styled footwear, the disclosures described herein may be appliedto any of a variety of other styles of footwear, such as but not limitedto brogue, derby, blucher, wingtip, and the like. For example, while theremovable and interchangeable panels shown herein are typicallypositioned over a midfoot portion and/or a heel portion of the upper ofa saddle shoe footwear, it is also contemplated that removable andinterchangeable panels may be similarly positioned and removably coupledto an upper proximate the front or toe box portion of an upper offootwear, a side of an upper of footwear, and the like.

FIG. 1 provides a non-limiting example of a shoe 10 comprising an upper11, a midsole 12 and an outsole 13. As shown, this embodiment furthercomprises an interchangeable shoe panel which is depicted here bynon-limiting example as a midfoot panel 14. The interchangeable shoepanel is not intended to be limited to a midfoot panel 14 and mayalternatively be located proximal a heel or toe box of the shoe 10.Thus, while a midfoot panel 14 will be discussed as an exemplaryembodiment, it is to be understood that characteristics of the midfootpanel 14 and any methods of coupling the midfoot panel 14 to the shoeare also applicable to shoe panels located elsewhere on the shoe 10.

FIG. 2 provides a view of an embodiment of a shoe comprising aninterchangeable midfoot panel 14 without the upper 11 being shown so asto better illustrate the structure of the midsole 12. As shown, themidsole 12 comprises a recess 18 configured to allow a first end 15 anda second end 16 of the midfoot panel 14 to be seated within the recess18. In some embodiments, it may be preferable to position the recess 18such that the first and second ends 15, 16 of the midfoot panel 14 areable to fit within a channel 19 formed by the recess 18 substantiallyadjacent to an upper 11 of the shoe 10. The channel 19 and/or the recess18 may comprise one or more magnets configured to mate with one or moremagnets positioned at an end of a shoe panel. FIG. 3 provides an exampleof the location of the recesses 18 relative to an edge of the midsole 12such that the outer edge of the recess 18 is proximal to the point atwhich the upper 11 abuts the midsole 12. While the recess 18 is shownhere at the midfoot, it is to be understood that such a recess 18 may bepresent at any location on the midsole 12 at which it is desirable tocouple a shoe panel to the shoe 10.

While the recess 19 itself may form a channel 19 sufficient to receive afirst end 15 and/or second end 16 of the midfoot panel 14 or of a shoepanel positioned elsewhere on the shoe 10, in some embodiments, as shownin FIGS. 4-5, a midsole insert 17 may be positioned within the recess 18such that the midsole insert 17 rather than the recess 18 itself forms achannel 19 configured to receive at least one of a first 15 and a second16 end of the midfoot panel 14 or a shoe panel located elsewhere on theshoe 10. The midsole insert 17 may comprise one or more magnetspositioned within the channel 19 such that the one or more magnets areconfigured to mate with one or more magnets positioned at an end of ashoe panel. FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional view of the midsole 12 andmidsole insert 17. As shown, in some embodiments, the channel 19 may besubstantially L-shaped when the midsole insert 17 is inserted into therecess 18 in the midsole 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the channel 19 may beformed by the midsole insert 17 and the midsole 12, however, in otherembodiments, the channel 19 may be formed entirely by the midsole 12itself or by the midsole insert 17 itself. The substantial L-shape ofthe channel 19 of FIG. 5 aids in securing the first 15 and/or second end16 of the midfoot panel 14 or other shoe panel into the channel 19 asthe top horizontal portion of the midsole insert 17 prevents the first15 and/or second end 16 of the midfoot panel 14 or other shoe panel fromslipping out of the channel 19.

FIGS. 6-7 provide an exemplary embodiment of a midfoot panel 14. Asshown, the midfoot panel 17 may comprise one or more midfoot panel hookand loop closure panels 21 on an underside of the midfoot panel 14 thatare configured to mate with one or more midfoot hook and loop closurepanels 20 on the midfoot of the shoe 10 as depicted in FIGS. 10-11. Thefirst and/or second ends 15, 16 of the midfoot panel 14 or any othershoe panel may comprise one or more reinforcement elements 23 proximalto an edge of the first and/or second ends 15, 16 of the midfoot panel14. The one or more reinforcement elements 23 may be comprised of metal,plastic, or any other material of sufficient rigidity to aid in guidingthe first and/or second ends 15, 16 of the midfoot panel 14 into thechannel 19 of the midsole 12 and/or midsole insert 17. In someembodiments, the one or more reinforcement elements 23 may be comprisedof a magnetic material that is configured to mate with one or morecorresponding magnets in the midsole 12 or midsole insert 17. As shownin FIGS. 8-9, in some embodiments, the shoe 10 may comprise a vamp hookand loop closure panel 22 located proximal a vamp 26 of the shoe 10which is configured to mate with one or more midfoot panel hook and loopclosure panels 21 located on an underside of the midfoot panel 14. Thepresence of such hook and loop closure panels aids in securing themidfoot panel 14 or other shoe panel to the upper 11 of the shoe andprevents slippage or movement of the midfoot panel 14 or other shoepanel when in use on the shoe 10; however other fastening mechanismssuch as, by non-limiting example, a snap, a button, a pin, an adhesive,or a magnet may also be used to secure one or more shoe panels to theupper 11. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8-9, in some embodiments, theshoe 10 may comprise a slip-on shoe comprising one or more quarterextensions 27 extending from the quarter 25 of the shoe. These quarterextensions 27 may comprise one or more quarter extension magnets 28 thatare configured to mate with one or more midfoot panel magnets 29, anexample of which is depicted in FIGS. 12-13.

FIGS. 10-11 provide examples of the channel 19 formed by the midsole 12and/or midsole insert 17. As shown, in some embodiments, the midfoothook and loop closure panel 20 may extend along the upper 11 such thatthe midfoot hook and loop closure panel 20 is substantially adjacent tothe channel 19 to ensure that the midfoot panel 14 remains firmlycoupled to the upper 11 when in use.

FIGS. 12-13 provide an exemplary embodiment of a midfoot panel 14comprising a plurality of eyelets 30 and a lace 31 which allows for aslip-on shoe to appear to be a laced shoe when the midfoot panel 14 iscoupled to the upper 11. FIG. 12 depicts the upper side of the midfootpanel 14 which may be comprised of a material with a finished look, suchas but not limited to stained or color treated leather, vinyl, plastic,rubber, and the like. The underside of the midfoot panel 14 is depictedin FIG. 13 and it should be noted that while the midfoot panel hook andloop closure panels 21 are shown as encompassing a significant portionof each side of the midfoot panel 14, it is also contemplated that oneor more smaller midfoot panel hook and loop closure panels 21 couldalternatively be located on the underside of the midfoot panel 14. Aperspective view of the midfoot panel 14 in use on the shoe 10 isdepicted in FIG. 21. While some embodiments of the midfoot panel do notcomprise eyelets 20 and/or laces 31, in this example, the lace 31 of themidfoot panel 14 may be tightened to the wearer's desired tightness tosecure the underlying shoe 10 to the user's foot with the desired fit.

FIG. 14 provides an alternative embodiment of a shoe 10 comprising aheel panel 32 which may be coupled to the heel by a heel panel hook andloop closure panel 33 that corresponds with a hook and loop closurepanel on the upper 11 of the shoe 10. An end of the heel panel 32 may beseated within a channel 19 of the midsole 14 and/or midsole insert 17located at the heel of the shoe 10.

FIGS. 15-18 provide an exemplary alternative embodiment in which thefirst and/or second end 15, 16 of the midfoot panel 14 comprises amidfoot panel tab 35 that extends outward from the first and/or secondend 15, 16 of the midfoot panel 14. This midfoot panel tab 35 isconfigured to be seated within a channel indentation 36 within themidsole 12. In some embodiments, a midsole insert 17 may be used to formthe channel 19 and the channel indentation 36 may be located within themidsole insert 17. It is also contemplated by this disclosure that ashoe panel located elsewhere than at the midfoot of the shoe 10 maycomprise such a panel tab that is configured to be seated within acorresponding channel indentation 36 of the midsole 12 and/or midsoleinsert 17.

Some embodiments of the shoe 10 may comprise one or more eyelets 30 thatare integral to the shoe and configured to receive a lace 31 and assuch, a midfoot panel 17 is not limited to the examples provided in thefigures and may alternatively be coupled to the shoe 10 such that themidfoot panel 17 does not cover or obstruct the laces 31 and/or thetongue 24 of the shoe 10. However, in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.19-20, the shoe 10 is a slip-on shoe comprising a quarter extension 27extending from the quarter 25 of the shoe 10 on each side of the tongue24. The tongue 24 comprises a tongue side extension 37 on each side ofthe tongue 24 proximal the end of the tongue 24 closest to the heel ofthe shoe 10. When the shoe 10 is worn, the tongue side extensions 37 aretucked under the quarter extensions 27 to hold the tongue 24 in placeand allow for a substantially smooth surface over which the midfootpanel 17 is placed and coupled to the shoe 10. The quarter extensions 27may further comprise quarter extension magnets 28 configured to matewith one or more midfoot panel magnets 29 as previously discussed.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 22-23, a shoe panel or the upper11 may comprise one or more embellishment recesses 34 configured toreceive an embellishment 39 or other decorative element. Theembellishment recess 34 may comprise an embellishment recess magnet 38or other fastening element such as, by non-limiting example, a snap, ahook and loop closure, a pin, a button, or an adhesive that isconfigured to mate with a corresponding magnet or other fasteningelement on the embellishment 39 or other decorative element. This allowsthe embellishment 39 or other decorative element to be interchanged asthe user desires.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of footwear comprising one or more interchangeablepanels, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit thereof and that theseimplementations may be applied to other to systems and techniques forfootwear having interchangeable panels.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe comprising: an upper; a midsole coupled tothe upper and comprising a recess proximal to a junction between theupper and the midsole; a midsole insert comprising a channel, themidsole insert configured to seat within the recess; and a shoe panelconfigured to detachably couple to the upper of the shoe, the shoe panelcomprising a first end configured to seat within the channel of themidsole insert.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe panel is amidfoot panel comprising a second end configured to seat within a secondchannel on an opposite side of the shoe.
 3. The shoe of claim 2, furthercomprising a midfoot hook and loop closure panel on the upper that isconfigured to mate with a midfoot panel hook and loop closure panellocated on an underside of the midfoot panel.
 4. The shoe of claim 2,further comprising a vamp hook and loop closure panel on the upper thatis configured to mate with a midfoot panel hook and loop closure panellocated on an underside of the midfoot panel.
 5. The shoe of claim 2,wherein the midfoot panel comprises one or more reinforcement elementson at least one of the first and second ends of the midfoot panel. 6.The shoe of claim 2, wherein the upper further comprises: a tongueextending upward from a vamp of the shoe, the tongue comprising a tongueside extension on at least one side of the tongue; and a quartercomprising a quarter extension on each of a first and a second side ofthe tongue, the quarter extensions configured to overlap onto an uppersurface of the tongue.
 7. The shoe of claim 6, wherein at least one ofthe quarter extensions comprises a magnet and the midfoot panelcomprises a magnet configured to mate with the magnet of the at leastone of the quarter extensions.
 8. The shoe of claim 2, wherein themidfoot panel comprises a plurality of eyelets comprising a lace runningtherethrough.
 9. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe panel is a heelpanel configured to detachably couple to the shoe upper at the heel ofthe shoe.
 10. The shoe of claim 9, further comprising a heel hook andloop closure panel on the upper that is configured to mate with a heelpanel hook and loop closure panel located on an underside of the heelpanel.
 11. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising an embellishmentrecess configured to house a decorative element.
 12. The shoe of claim11, wherein the embellishment recess further comprises a magnetconfigured to mate with a magnet located on the decorative element. 14.The shoe of claim 11, wherein the embellishment recess is located on theshoe panel.
 15. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the channel issubstantially L-shaped.
 16. A shoe comprising: an upper; a midsolecoupled to the upper and comprising a channel proximal to a junctionbetween the upper and the midsole; and a shoe panel configured todetachably couple to the upper of the shoe, the shoe panel comprising afirst end configured to seat within the channel of the midsole.
 17. Theshoe of claim 16, wherein the shoe panel is a midfoot panel comprising asecond end configured to seat within a second channel on an oppositeside of the shoe.
 18. The shoe of claim 17, further comprising at leastone of: a midfoot hook and loop closure panel on the upper that isconfigured to mate with a midfoot panel hook and loop closure panellocated on an underside of the midfoot panel; and a vamp hook and loopclosure panel on the upper that is configured to mate with a midfootpanel hook and loop closure panel located on an underside of the midfootpanel.
 19. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the midfoot panel comprises oneor more reinforcement elements on at least one of the first and secondends of the midfoot panel.
 20. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the upperfurther comprises: a tongue extending upward from a vamp of the shoe,the tongue comprising a tongue side extension on at least one side ofthe tongue; and a quarter comprising a quarter extension on each of afirst and a second side of the tongue, the quarter extensions configuredto overlap onto an upper surface of the tongue, at least one of thequarter extensions comprising a magnet and wherein the midfoot panelcomprises a magnet configured to mate with the magnet of the at leastone of the quarter extensions.